Author Archives: Gaurav Sood

Martin Smith creates sculptural watch winder to mark MB&F M.A.D. Gallery’s 15th anniversary

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The 15th anniversary celebration of the M.A.D.Gallery, MB&F’s network of spaces dedicated to “Mechanical Art Devices,” was kicked off with the first commemorative ML15 Helios earlier this year. The 9kg sculptural lamp made from 120 handmade parts by Berlin-based artist Frank Buchwald is now followed by Solar Orbiter, a 60-centimeter-tall kinetic sculpture that doubles as a silent watch winder.

Solar Orbiter watch winder is made by prominent British kinetic artist and designer Martin Smith through Laikingland, his design house, co-founded with engineer friend Nick Regan. The sculptural watch winder’s design is inspired by the 1957 Eames Solar Do-Nothing Machine, which showcased one of the first uses of solar electricity to power an aluminum toy in random dance.

Designer: Laikingland x MB&F

The Solar Orbiter is not an experimental toy; it is designed to be a conversation starter in Smith’s own studio in West Yorkshire. A device enticing enough to sit in the middle of your living room or office and make some heads turn. Instead of showcasing the application of solar power, this marries kinetic sculpture with high-end watchmaking to commemorate the long-term association between MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser, Martin Smith, and his company Laikingland.

As is the norm with Martin Smith creations – case in point, the applause machine – viewers become part of the Solar Orbital through physical and visual interaction. The highly sophisticated, limited-edition kinetic sculpture is handmade from nearly 300 gear trains and moving limbs that are set into motion by human interaction.

Turning a physical knob onboard puts the otherwise abstract Orbiter into a kinetic performance with a watch at the epicenter. Each element used in the construction of the Smith’s Solar Orbiter is either made from steel, aluminum, brass, or carved from wood. From what we know, Smith generally produces almost all the components used in his creations himself, using traditional equipment; we are presuming the same is the case with this sculptural watch winder.

There is no definite information to validate the same at this point, but the intricate details of the winder, which Smith describes as “chaotic, mesmerizing, sophisticated in its construction, and a bit quirky,” are worth appreciating nonetheless. The exclusivity of this creation is maintained by its limited-edition availability. Priced at CHF 9,900 (approximately $12,000), the watch winder’s production is strictly limited to just 10 pieces worldwide.

For collectors who like to tinker with just about everything to personalize it to their requirements, the Solar Orbiter allows swapping out different kinetic elements – including a hand, a heart, and a star – sitting at the top of this watch winder. If you happen to order one of these kinetic watch winders, Martin Smith will ship it your way inside a bespoke wooden crate, personalized with screen printing, and an A2 Certificate of Authenticity signed and hand-numbered by the artist himself.

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This 205-HP handcrafted hyperbike looks like it rode straight out of a Sci-Fi movie

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Diamond Atelier has side stepped the traditional custom motorcycle scene with the DA#22 ULTRON, a one-of-a-kind machine that the Munich-based workshop describes as the world’s first hyperbike. Publicly revealed at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the road-legal prototype is designed to narrow down the gap between high-performance superbikes and exclusive hypercars.

Rather than modifying an existing motorcycle with premium components, Diamond Atelier began the project by creating a completely new design language before engineering the mechanical package around it. Powering the DA#22 is KTM’s proven 1,301cc LC8 V-twin engine sourced from the 1290 Super Duke. Tuned to produce more than 205 horsepower, the engine delivers performance that places the motorcycle firmly in superbike territory.

Designer: Diamond Atelier

Complementing the potent powertrain is a specially developed suspension package from Wilbers, featuring a TYPE 46 RR front fork inspired by World Superbike technology and a bespoke rear shock tailored specifically for the compact layout of the project. Every major component was selected to ensure that the motorcycle remains serviceable despite its unconventional packaging. The most striking feature of the DA#22 is undoubtedly its handcrafted aluminum bodywork. Every panel was individually shaped by Marvin Diehl of KRT Framework over a period exceeding 800 hours.

Instead of exposing the motorcycle’s mechanical components like a conventional naked bike, the sculpted aluminum shell forms a seamless surface with dramatically shortened proportions, a floating tail section, hidden electronics, and a cockpit concealed beneath a recessed glass panel. The design gives the motorcycle an unmistakable silhouette that looks unlike any current production model. Diamond Atelier also incorporated advanced manufacturing techniques throughout the project. Several key components, including the titanium exhaust system and the upper triple clamp, were produced using 3D printing by Aconity3D. Formula 1-inspired switchgear, an illuminated clutch cover with a glass inspection window, and precision-machined controls supplied by specialist partners further reinforce the machine’s premium engineering.

Even the upper triple clamp features a genuine diamond mounted in sterling silver, serving as a subtle reference to the company’s name rather than a purely decorative addition. Perhaps the most innovative element is the motorcycle’s unique electroluminescent paint. Developed exclusively for the prototype by Alex Bloch of Stilbruch Lack, the special coating emits a deep red glow when an electrical current is applied, allowing the bodywork itself to become the light source without relying on external LEDs. According to Diamond Atelier, only a single liter of this custom paint formulation was ever produced, and the entire batch was used on the DA#22, ensuring the finish can never be exactly replicated.

Although the DA#22 remains a prototype, Diamond Atelier sees it as the beginning of an ultra-exclusive series that explores new possibilities in motorcycle design. Combining handcrafted coachbuilding techniques and extreme performance, the bike a fresh interpretation of what a flagship motorcycle can be. Rather than simply chasing speed or luxury alone, it demonstrates how engineering, craftsmanship, and design can come together to create an entirely new category.

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Louis Vuitton unveils bespoke Trophy Trunk for FIFA World Cup 2026 ahead of the final

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France is shown the door, and Spain has triumphed into the final of the FIFA World Cup, now waiting patiently for either England or the favorites, Argentina. While who will make it to the final to contest for the most coveted trophy against Spain remains uncertain, at the time of writing, what’s certain is that Louis Vuitton has readied the bespoke trunk that will be used by the winners to carry the golden trophy out of the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19.

Like it has been doing in the last four editions, LV has unveiled its licensed 2026 FIFA World Cup Trophy Trunk to showcase and transport the most iconic cup in sports. It has previously designed trophy trunks for the 2010 edition of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, followed by the 2014 Brazil, 2018 Russia, and 2022 Qatar editions.

Designer:  FIFA and Louis Vuitton

The fifth such trunk, in as many editions of the World Cup, is made by Maison’s artisans in its Asnières-sur-Seine workshops near Paris. It is meticulously covered in the iconic Louis Vuitton monogram canvas and will, for the first time, be officially disclosed at the final match of the World Cup.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Trophy Trunk will be brought onto the pitch for the finals ceremony and will become part of the music and entertainment programs when football’s greatest achievement is celebrated. Making its presence etched in the annals of history, the 2026 FIFA World Cup Trophy Trunk comes enclosed in an all-LV Monogram canvas cover and features a pair of front panels adorned with a golden “V,” which, according to the press statement, stands for both Vuitton and Victory.

The exterior doesn’t give out much about the official partnership. It is more reserved for the interior, which is done in light beige leather and a space in the center for the “world’s most coveted trophy—a symbol of dedication, collective ambition, and the ultimate celebration of victory.” Here, a patch on the lid is used to showcase the partnership logo between Louis Vuitton and FIFA.

Returning to the exterior, it features LV’s signature leather trim known as “lozines.” The trunk corners are protected with gold-plated brass, while clasps and a lock are used to secure the precious trophy inside. Lock and clasp design is reminiscent of those used by the maison since the 1860s.

Unless you are the FIFA museum in Zurich, Switzerland, there is no chance you can keep the trophy or the trunk. Louis Vuitton understands it better than any of us and has therefore created three look-alike limited edition trunks. Since each of these is inspired by the trunk designed for the original solid gold trophy, they feature monogram canvas, a hand-painted FIFA World Cup logo, and the golden “V”.

The first of the three iterations is the Coffret 8 Montres, made to hold eight watches; the Cotteville 16 Montres is designed for the same purpose but with the capacity to store 16 watches. Malle Courrier Lozine 110 is a different breed; it is a trunk for the purpose of carrying luggage. There is no word on how each of these will be priced, but we learn that users will have an option to personalize their purchase with their initials.

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Deflatable drone capable of flying over 10 hours could be the next big leap in operational efficiency

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The DJI Mavic 4 Pro can fly for around 50 minutes before needing a recharge, but are those numbers sufficient for a drone tasked with surveillance of hundreds of kilometers of pipeline or sensitive zones spanning miles? Nor is there any viable solution for monitoring disaster-struck areas that are too risky for manned flights. The next best option is low-flying unmanned airplanes or VTOLs, but the costs involved are way too high for such tasks.

This prompted French aerospace startup Celeste Ecoflyers to design an inflatable fixed-wing aircraft drone that comes tagged with the promise of superior safety and efficiency. Christened daS10, the 8-meter fixed-wing aircraft has a “pressurized textile envelope” and a pneumatic wing that generates lift thanks to the inflated structure. The design ensures the drone can stay in the air for longer without taking up a lot of energy.

Designer: Celeste Ecoflyers

The unmanned craft can be deflated and stored easily in flat form, which makes it highly deployable in any kind of situation. This unique idea comes from the CEO, engineer, and founder Olivier Manette, who happens to be a licensed ULM flight instructor. daS10 is currently in the development stage and recently conducted the initial low-altitude flight tests that lasted a few seconds. More tests are scheduled for Q4 of this year, which will bring it closer to the intended results. When fully operational, the fixed-wing drone can cruise at speeds of up to 50 mph for more than 10 hours in a sortie. That surpasses the JOUAV CW-30E, which can operate for around 480 minutes with a range of 200 kms from base.

This 8-meter fixed-wing drone is targeted towards commercial operations that require safety and more sustainable logistics. For instance, surveillance of pipelines or energy grids requires a more affordable approach than current solutions. Just for reference, a helicopter flight to inspect a pipeline costs around $2,500 per hour, and this doesn’t include the costs of the pilot or fuel. Also, bad weather and pilot availability can cancel one-fourth of the scheduled flights, hampering the overall operations. This aircraft, capable of generating aerodynamic lift sans any buoyant systems and carrying a payload of 11 lbs, is the ideal replacement for traditional options.

The biggest USP of the daS10 drone is the deflatable wing, which can fold and compress into a smaller volume for easy transportability. That will come in very handy for military operations as well, which require movement of logistics in remote regions. Though it is still early days for the drone, and a lot more engineering challenges lie ahead when it comes to fully scaled flights, the results could be revolutionary for the aviation industry heading towards automation.

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Tiny Vinyl’s $50 record player makes collecting mini vinyl more accessible

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Tiny Vinyl is the industry leader when it comes to, well, you guessed it right, tiny vinyl records. These records can be played on most 33⅓rpm turntables and are pure joy simply for their cute quotient. The company introduced its 4-inch records (one-third the size of a standard vinyl record) last year, which can be played on a standard manual turntable. These records store two songs – one on each side – and the audio community has taken these pocket records pretty seriously. Most of these vinyls are officially licensed by big artists who choose their best two songs to go on the vinyl. The miniature records are highly collectible but can only play on a seemingly bigger platter, so where is the fun in that?

After selling their millionth Tiny Vinyl in just a year, the fans and Target wanted the brand to come up with a versatile and small record player. For this reason, the company has now introduced a dedicated TINY Vinyl Player to play music from those tiny records. No bigger than a shoebox, the turntable is built from the ground up, given its small size. Everything, right from the tone arm and platter to the control panel, was designed from scratch. The only two components from standard component manufacturers are the cartridge and needle.

Designer: Tiny Vinyl

What we see here is a turntable that’s ultra-portable, specifically designed to play 4-inch vinyls, and definitely a conversation starter. According to co-founders Jesse Mann and Neil Kohler, the shrunk-down turntable opens up the possibility of owning a record player for the music-loving community who otherwise cannot afford to buy the traditional decks. According to  Jesse Mann, “These new products give music fans and collectors everything they need to build out their own little Tiny Vinyl universe, a setup as fun and personal as the music they love.”

The only downside, though, is that they can only play the tiny vinyl records, and if we’re all in for the complete album collections, they are a bit of a handful. Another major consideration is the slight compromise in audio quality coming from the small speakers. That said, the duo from Nashville has access to the pro music industry peers, and they’ve used this to build the Tiny Vinyl Turntable for maximum user satisfaction. Once they got past the initial drawings, the next big challenge was to design the built-in speakers and Bluetooth sync. But the biggest of them all was to calibrate the revolutions per minute to 33⅓rpm to play the music at perfect speed.

The portable turntable can stream music to Bluetooth speakers or headphones if the built-in speakers don’t tingle your senses. You could go for the wired option as well for better audio dynamics. Tiny Vinyl has gone a step further by integrating a storage slot beside the platter to hold up to five records of choice. For those planning to expand the collection of Mini Vinyls, there’s also the option of getting the vinyl storage cabinet called Crate, which sits right underneath the turntable. There’s a third accessory in the mix as well, dubbed Frame, which can be used to display four Tiny Vinyl albums on the wall. The Tiny Vinyl Turntable available at Target costs $50, while the Crate and Frame are priced at $20 and $15, respectively. The UK launch is slated for Autumn, so better watch out!

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This elastic band-powered car proves you don’t need an engine to experience real mechanical thrills

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Kinetic energy is a fascinating thing, a fact I first realized after becoming obsessed with pull-back toy cars as a child. The simple act of rolling the car backward to store energy before watching it shoot forward at surprising speed felt almost magical. I didn’t understand the physics back then, but I knew there was something immensely satisfying about turning stored energy into motion.

Tell that to James Bruton, and you’ve got an engineering challenge rather than a toy. The inventive YouTuber is back with another delightfully unconventional experiment, this time asking whether a vehicle can be powered entirely by elastic bands. Not the thin rubber bands you’d find in a desk drawer, but heavy-duty resistance bands designed for fitness training, capable of storing far more energy than their humble appearance suggests.

Designer: James Bruton

Bruton begins by building a test rig from industrial 4040 aluminum extrusions to understand how much energy these bands can store when twisted rather than stretched. The setup uses inexpensive Lazy Susan thrust bearings to let the mechanism rotate with minimal friction while a single resistance band is wound tighter and tighter. The initial tests prove surprisingly encouraging, with the band accepting dozens of twists before reaching its limit, hinting that there may be enough stored energy to propel a person.

Turning that potential into useful motion, however, proves far more complicated. A pair of 3D-printed bevel gears delivers a 2:1 reduction to increase torque before driving a set of lightweight wheels. The prototype manages to move Bruton, but only for a couple of meters before the band eventually snaps under excessive winding. Rather than dismissing the concept, he treats the failure as valuable data, redesigning the drivetrain with an additional reduction stage that increases the overall ratio to 6:1. The improvement isn’t dramatic in terms of distance. Still, it delivers smoother power without permanently deforming the elastic band, confirming that gearing plays a bigger role than simply storing more energy.

The next logical step is to increase the amount of stored energy itself. Instead of making the vehicle impractically long with one giant elastic band, Bruton develops an ingenious routing system that sends multiple bands back and forth through the chassis using intermeshing gears. CNC-machined aluminum brackets, industrial extrusions, custom 3D-printed components, and dozens of modified bearings come together to create a rigid frame capable of containing the enormous twisting forces generated by the growing elastic drivetrain.

Experiments with six bands connected in series reveal an unexpected lesson in physics. While the system stores more energy, it doesn’t produce a proportional increase in usable torque, leaving much of the stored potential untapped. Rather than forcing the design to work, Bruton completely rethinks the layout by arranging eighteen resistance bands into three parallel columns, each feeding a common output shaft through bevel gears. The configuration increases available torque while preserving a useful amount of unwinding time, striking a far better balance between power and efficiency.

After countless iterations, careful winding, and more than a few anxious moments trying not to snap another band, the elastic-powered machine finally delivers the result Bruton had been chasing. The vehicle carries him almost 10 meters on nothing more than the energy stored in twisted resistance bands, with a best run measuring just under 9.9 meters before a final all-out attempt stretches that distance beyond 12 meters. It may not be replacing electric drivetrains anytime soon, but that’s hardly the point.

 

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You can finally own the upside down driving Spéirling Pure electric hypercar

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McMurtry Automotive has been showing off its prototype electric car for some years now. The record-breaking Spéirling hyper track car, capable of racing upside down like a Formula-1 car, really turned eyeballs and caught much attention. Now, the thing is legit for the public roads, as the British electric hypercar manufacturer has revealed the production version of the electric version of the car. Called the Spéirling Pure, this hypercar is slated to cost around $1.3 million when it goes on sale later this year.

This production version has some valid changes to make it road legal and, more importantly, road viable for purists who want to experience the thrill of driving a powerful EV. Just like the prototype version, the Spéirling Pure EV can drive upside down thanks to the Downforce-on-Demand fan-based system, which can produce a surprising amount of downforce courtesy of the high-speed fans running at up to 23,000 rpm. This is assisted by the underbody extended skirt system that keeps the car glued to the surface like a vacuum pump.

Designer: McMurtry Automotive

Since the car has more downforce than the dry weight of 4,409 lb (even though 665 lb heavier than the prototype), it can literally be upside down like a bat in the standing position. That’s a very rare trick you can show off in the real world if you find a setting to make the car turn upside down. The massive 3G downforce comes in handy in tight chicanes and corners, virtually lending the hypercar superior traction control to carry more speed out of corners. On the production version of the car, the fan motor is improved with new blades, and the air compressor also gets an upgrade. Other major upgrades include the new 100-kWh battery pack (compared to the 60-kWh pack on the prototype) and a wider wheelbase, increased to 8 inches to 86.6 inches to make space for the larger battery unit.

Spéirling Pure feeds the battery power to the pair of electric motors that drive the rear wheels. The enhanced transmission translates all the energy into 986 horsepower for an acceleration to 60mph in just 1.6 seconds. The top speed hits 190 mph, and that downforce system helps keep the vehicle stable. This also helps in braking at high speeds as the suction power creates enough friction. The production version will also get a flexible suspension system, adaptive dampers, and a 20 percent higher ride height to conquer most motorable roads. The electric hypercar can be charged from 20 percent to almost full capacity in a mere 20 minutes, depending on the outlet it is being plugged into.

The upgrades follow on the inside with a motorsports-grade carbon-fiber monocoque for premium safety. Bodywork also gets a bump up in the form of a swan-neck rear wing above the trunk, refined headlight design, a second hinged door, and space for keeping a helmet or HANS device. The interior can be customized by the buyers in a plethora of options. For the thrill of experiencing racing, the hypercar comes with a F1-styled steering wheel and an instrument cluster on the digital display.

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Bürstner’s new modular Mercedes Sprinter RV offers privacy bedroom, and more living space

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Compact, luxury motorhomes with smart space-enhancing features really have a market of their own. This domain is dominated by Germany-based Bürstner, which surprised us first with the Habiton camper van last year. The concept van home debuted a modular interior layout that residents could change according to their requirements during the day or night. Now, continuing from where it began, the builder of comfortable and practical motorhomes has launched the Signature SMT model.

The interesting mobile home is based on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis and has a layout that can have an open, unobstructed view or a privacy shutter along the kitchen, closing the rear bedroom when you are sharing the motorhome with friends or even members of the family. Since the entire concept of the interior is based on space-maximization and modularity, Signature made from fiberglass for a durable and lightweight form factor, features a raised roofline at the front.

Designer: Bürstner

This modification allows a drop-down bed to sit comfortably at the increased height. Below, you have the dinette that is formed by swiveling cabin seats and a bench across the aisle. The space here is naturally lit with a full-width skylight above. The transformable front lounge makes way for a 76 x 51-inch drop-down double bed at night. And when the daylight strikes and you’re leaving the bed, the ceiling bed retracts – disappearing completely from sight – opening the lounge area for dining and communication.

An option for a twin or queen bed (with springs and a comfort mattress) sleeping area is designated again toward the back of the cabin, with the modular kitchen and space-saving bathroom taking up the space in the middle. The bedroom features custom-designed back panels and a wardrobe for storing your clothing essentials. The Signature offers sleeping space for up to four people conveniently.

The premium, modular kitchen isn’t really designed to transform like the lounge or the bathroom (we will discuss in a bit), but it is designed with some interesting retractable options of its own to really zap the mind. The kitchen revolves around an induction hub in the center and two extendable worktops on either side of it. An electrically retractable shelf lifting straight up to the roof on the right shows your stored items, while a practical refrigerated drawer, featuring a 138L freezer compartment, finds place below the main countertop. When raised, the retractable shelf, in conjunction with a sliding door, doubles as a divider wall, allowing privacy in the bedroom behind.

Available in a choice of 735 and 766 cm lengths in white and stone-grey colors, the Signature motorhome comes with another interesting transforming space: the bathroom. It is placed right behind the driver and comes with a sliding front wall that retracts toward the Cassette toilet to store away the sink integrated into it. The space outside now is reserved for the shower, which the user can use without having to think of fitting into a small bathroom space already occupied by a fixed sink and toilet.

Designed to go where your camper van adventure demands, the Signature SMT is provided with a 150 Ah lithium battery, a 200-liter fresh water tank, and a diesel heating option. The pricing for the base 735 cm model starts at €93,999 (US$107,000), while the bigger 766 cm Signature would cost around $110,000.

 

 

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Airstream’s $64K World Traveler 17RB is a budget-friendly RV first-time campers have been waiting for

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Known once for its high-end, expensive silver-bodied trailers, Airstream has now unveiled its most affordable 17-foot travel trailer ever. The World Traveler 17RB undercuts Airstream’s previously attainable 16-foot Bambi trailer by a good $4,500 at $64,400. Airstream has already started the production of the new trailer, and its first deliveries are slated to happen later this year.

Even though the entry-level 17RB is designed for first-time buyers seeking a worthy entry point to start their family camping adventures, it is an equally compelling option for seasoned RV enthusiasts, since the trailer retains Airstream’s signature style and body despite the price.

Designer: Airstream

Airstream lifestyle has never been more affordable. With the entry-level World Traveler line, the new Airstream lineup for beginners, Airstream is making the lifestyle attainable, but without compromising its market position. The World Traveler 17RB is therefore built to exude the same style on the outside, while certain cost-limiting tweaks on the inside are what we shall get to in a bit.

Last year, Airstream launched a 22-foot model, which was lightweight enough to be towed by a wide range of vehicles. The 17RB, with its GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of 3,500 lbs, is as lightweight as it can get. It follows the same approach of being easily towable by an SUV or even a smaller pickup truck like the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Maverick.

While the basics of the signature riveted aluminum body remain unperturbed on the outside, the new Airstream has its wrap-around windows on the back and front replaced with smaller, rectangular dual-pane acrylic windows. A manual awning attached to the 17RB’s body extends the living space slightly outside when needed. For other times, the interior of course, is well equipped.

The trailer’s Scandinavian-inspired interior is provided with white aluminum walls complemented by a choice of Sagebrush or Shoreline upholstery. The kitchen is the mainstay of the World Traveler 17RB travel trailer. Starting out it seems small, but to extend the space, it features an expandable countertop. On it, you get a two-burner gas stove and a sink. A 2.1-cubic-foot refrigerator is neatly tucked under the cabinetry. Airstream also provides an option to include a microwave in the setup.

Airstream has outfitted the 17RB with a 24-inch Smart TV and a JBL audio system for entertainment. It has a Truma Combi Eco Plus System for heating and hot water, while the air conditioner is located underneath, hiding the cooling with the use of ducts. A dinette located in the front section of the trailer can be converted into a bed for additional sleeping space. The main bedroom area, however, is placed in the rear where a fixed mattress is provided for a couple to sleep. Even though Airstream doesn’t market it as such, the 17RB travel trailer can be prepared for off-grid adventures with the inclusion of a 200W solar panel and an optional 2.5 kWh lithium battery pack.

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Airstream’s $64K World Traveler 17RB is a budget-friendly RV first-time campers have been waiting for

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Known once for its high-end, expensive silver-bodied trailers, Airstream has now unveiled its most affordable 17-foot travel trailer ever. The World Traveler 17RB undercuts Airstream’s previously attainable 16-foot Bambi trailer by a good $4,500 at $64,400. Airstream has already started the production of the new trailer, and its first deliveries are slated to happen later this year.

Even though the entry-level 17RB is designed for first-time buyers seeking a worthy entry point to start their family camping adventures, it is an equally compelling option for seasoned RV enthusiasts, since the trailer retains Airstream’s signature style and body despite the price.

Designer: Airstream

Airstream lifestyle has never been more affordable. With the entry-level World Traveler line, the new Airstream lineup for beginners, Airstream is making the lifestyle attainable, but without compromising its market position. The World Traveler 17RB is therefore built to exude the same style on the outside, while certain cost-limiting tweaks on the inside are what we shall get to in a bit.

Last year, Airstream launched a 22-foot model, which was lightweight enough to be towed by a wide range of vehicles. The 17RB, with its GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of 3,500 lbs, is as lightweight as it can get. It follows the same approach of being easily towable by an SUV or even a smaller pickup truck like the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Maverick.

While the basics of the signature riveted aluminum body remain unperturbed on the outside, the new Airstream has its wrap-around windows on the back and front replaced with smaller, rectangular dual-pane acrylic windows. A manual awning attached to the 17RB’s body extends the living space slightly outside when needed. For other times, the interior of course, is well equipped.

The trailer’s Scandinavian-inspired interior is provided with white aluminum walls complemented by a choice of Sagebrush or Shoreline upholstery. The kitchen is the mainstay of the World Traveler 17RB travel trailer. Starting out it seems small, but to extend the space, it features an expandable countertop. On it, you get a two-burner gas stove and a sink. A 2.1-cubic-foot refrigerator is neatly tucked under the cabinetry. Airstream also provides an option to include a microwave in the setup.

Airstream has outfitted the 17RB with a 24-inch Smart TV and a JBL audio system for entertainment. It has a Truma Combi Eco Plus System for heating and hot water, while the air conditioner is located underneath, hiding the cooling with the use of ducts. A dinette located in the front section of the trailer can be converted into a bed for additional sleeping space. The main bedroom area, however, is placed in the rear where a fixed mattress is provided for a couple to sleep. Even though Airstream doesn’t market it as such, the 17RB travel trailer can be prepared for off-grid adventures with the inclusion of a 200W solar panel and an optional 2.5 kWh lithium battery pack.

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